Topic: MJW #269 - Mystery 2

[Carnut]

However, the date of first registration is given as 27 May 2002. It may be that this was a re-registration of the car which originally had this number - if a car has been off the road and is not on the DVLA database, but you can prove what the original registration number was, DVLA will re-allocate the same number if it is available.

This is feasible..

But it could also be that this number was allocated to a different vehicle in 2002 as an age-related replacement for a car which had lost its original registration number.

..but this isn't.  They can't re-issue a previously used number for any reason whatsoever except the above, and that takes a huge amount of persuasion and proof!

PJ 795 was issued by Surrey County Council. Maybe Carnut could find out if it's likely that it was issued in or around 1931. If it was, then it's feasible that it could originally have been on an M-Type, and that could therefore be what the puzzle car is based on. If it falls outside the 1929 to 1932 bracket, then it could originally have been on something else, and only transferred to the M-Type that currently has it in 2002.

I'll have a look and revert!

[woodinsight]

Thanks Tom_I and Carnut for delving further into this mystery.

I guess it could have been built for some specific purpose (film, TV series, etc.) rather a just 'one-off' by someone.
Just a thought.....

[Carnut]

Surrey County Council commenced PJ issues with PJ 1 in August 1931.  The next issue was APA commencing in October 1932, so it took 14 months to get through PJ 1 - PJ 9999.

The first 1932 Surrey issue was PJ 2750 in January 1932.

The above would indicate that PJ 795 was probably issued some time in late August or early September 1931.

[woodinsight]

Here's the original model MG it was based on -

[Tom_I]

So it all seems to fit.

I wonder if the puzzle car still looks the same, or whether it has been restored back to its original form.

[woodinsight]

So it all seems to fit.

I wonder if the puzzle car still looks the same, or whether it has been restored back to its original form.

Good question Tom.
If the car survived I would expect the body to have been discarded and the chassis/engine to have been retained pertaining a restoration to the original car.
Alternatively I suppose it may have been dismantled for spares.
Perhaps one of our members here knows more?

[gte4289]

If the car survived I would expect the body to have been discarded and the chassis/engine to have been retained pertaining a restoration to the original car.
Alternatively I suppose it may have been dismantled for spares.
Perhaps one of our members here knows more?

PJ 795 has been with the same owner for many years, competing in hillclimbs and other events for much of that time.